Ba dum tshhhhhhh…
News broke this morning that Virgil van Dijk will miss this afternoon’s match between Liverpool and Manchester City with a ‘tight hamstring’.
While Liverpool fans panicked about the ensuing slaughter of Dejan Lovren from Manchester City’s attack, other fans made the obvious joke.
Philippe Coutinho has just left Liverpool, completing his dream move to Barcelona. In the summer he suffered from a mysterious ‘back injury’ that many saw as a way of angling a move to the Nou Camp. It happens a lot, injuries after often cover-ups for a player’s absence when clubs wish to calm down the rumours of their departure, but fans can see through it.
With that in mind…
Rumours of Van Dijk missing today’s game vs Man City. Surely a bit early to be manoeuvring for a move?
— richard foster (@rcfoster) January 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/G_Sinnott3/status/952516034984071173
Van Dijk already pushing for a move out of Liverpool looool
— happy flowers team (@ManCityKD) January 14, 2018
Van Dijk already pushing for a move away from Liverpool, I see.
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) January 14, 2018
Van Dijk is an ambitious player but you would hope he’ll play more than one match for the reds before he takes his next step up the footballing ladder.
In his place today, Dejan Lovren starts against City, who are without David Silva and long-term absentee Benjamin Mendy. Liverpool will hope to be the first team to beat Manchester City in domestic competition this season, who are 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Van Dijk should be fit for Liverpools next match against Swansea on Monday 22nd January, with the injury believed to be minor.